BA Mumbai Business Class Experience
 

Currently in Mumbai's GVK lounge awaiting BA198 back to LHR and I have to say I have been very impressed with the whole experience so far. Escorted into the terminal and seated on a lovely couch where my check-in formalities were done behind the scenes, then through an empty security fast track and into a very luxurious lounge with very attentive staff. Definitely a few other lounges could learn a thing or 2 from the Mumbai experience I've seen so far!

The boarding, on the other hand...

Yes I was very apprehensive when the old terminal closed with its dedicated BA lounge but it was worry for nothing.The new lounge is wonderful - nice views and the first dining area is excellent. The check in area is a genuine attempt to provide a premium service; I could take it or leave it but at least they have tried. Security is infinitely better then the old place, which had no premium lane.

The only real downside for me is like many airports now you need to walk so far. Enjoy your flight.

Has anyone been through Mumbai recently? After my last trip about 5 years ago (just days before the old terminal closed) I swore that I would never to to Mumbai airport again- but I am.

On arrival as we walked down the corridor towards baggage collection a rat dropped from the ceiling between me and the woman in front- the rat was dazed but ran off. It missed me by inches and I think partly landed on her as she screamed a lot. I have quite a high rat tolerance level but it wasn't great.

On departure the flight the day before had been cancelled and it was BA chaos but the main issue was not BA but the airport. It took 2 hours from arrival at the airport to the lounge. We were in 1st so we did all fast track possible but it was still very slow.

It took about an hour for me to go through scanning- ages longer than my husband as they insisted all women had to have a female operative on the body scanner and there were no female operatives working. I kept offering to go through with a male but they refused. It was only sorted when a very irate pilot (not BA) came and shouted a lot as all of his cabin crew were stuck with me waiting to go through.

No seats or food in the BA lounge but that was due to the delayed flights I think.

Then finally they wouldn't let 1st passengers board with everyone else when the buses came as we had to wait for a VIP bus? It never came and we were then sent on the last bus.

What is typical now? We are on the lunchtime flight back- do we have to allow 3 hours plus to get through the airport?

I was there a couple of years ago and it was bliss. Separate business check in at the left hand end of the terminal (as you stand facing it). Sat in a “pod” whilst bags tagged and boarding passes issued. Straight through to emigration and security via a short cut. Probably took 15 mins altogether. Lounge isn’t bad either, free foot massage and decent food.

Enjoy

I visited the new airport shortly after it was opened, connecting on my way to CMB. It was stunning and it made T5 look a bit dull by comparison. The lounge that I was given access to was the shared MALS Premium Lounge* that BA use which wasn't bad. Although I only wanted to sit down have a drink and use the WiFi as I was only there for a short while.

*I should have been in the UL lounge but they were being funny about letting me in despite having a business class ticket with them and OWS.

As others have said - new terminal is great. For daytime departure - airport will be very quiet - super quick security and immigration/ GVK Lounge is nice - with a complimentary 15 min massage. Arrival into BOM just after midnight - it can get busy at immigration. - though nothing as bad as LHR or JFK at peak times.

Whar do you guys think of the lounge situation at Mumbai? I like the GVK lounge, but it's annoying that there's only one business class lounge to use. I would like the opportunity to try out different lounges.

I like the GVK lounge, but I don't want to visit it every time!

• Large space with lots of seating
• High quality buffet
• Runway views
• Impressive decor

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Is the First Class bit of the GVK Lounge open these days? I'm flying out of BOM this weekend and was fully expecting no lounge at all. In these times, I'd be pleased with any lounge at all, let alone one of the better business lounges out there. To ask for a variety of lounges is probably a bit much...

I flew last month. Both GVK lounges were closed. Only the loyalty lounge was open. I had to use my priority pass to get in.

Choice of rice and dal or idli. That was it!

Given what the lounges in BOM were like 10 years ago, just be grateful for the huge improvements. The old F cupboard with rodent housekeepers...

The airport in Mumbai is fantastic. No doubt about that!

The GVK lounges are all closed.

As mentioned earlier, the PP lounge is available to those that have PP access (or pay for access)..

GVK West was open yesterday. Meals served in big takeaway cardboard boxes, full bar service as normal. I was flying VS and apparently VS are no longer paying for access so I was charged 3000 INR on the door. I forgot to ask if BA pax are allowed in though!

:tu: